What to do.. what to do.

[Shannonkish]

Went to work today, at the Learning Acheivement Center.. but not to work. I just went to pick up my check... at about 10 pm. Instead of my check, I found this lovely note "Shannon, Please leave your key and your address and your check will be mailed to you. Thanks, Cindy."

Hmm.. confused? Yeah, me too. To begin with, the LAC is supposed to be a ministry, run by Christians. If this is Cindy's way of telling me that I don't work at LAC any longer then I am highly disappointed in the way she handled it. There was no explanation, nothing... just those simple words amidst a pile of work that she wanted* (the next time I came to work) to complete. The note is a cop-out. It is a way of saying, "Shannon, I am not bold enough to stand in front of you and tell you that I have to let you go, but rather, I will write you a note instead."

So, I wrote her a note in reply. It was simply, nice, and polite. I explained that I had just got my car back, which she knew, and that I had stopped by work to get my paycheck and found this note. I explained that I wasn't sure what the note meant. I apologized for not being able to make it to work, because of being without a car or a way to get to work. I also explained that I hadn't heard from her since the last time I worked (which she said she would call me). I told her that I had tried to call her on Saturday to see if she could take me to church, but never heard a response. Then I ended by asking her to call me and explain the note to me.

I figure that if she doesn't call me tomorrow, I will just stop by her office and talk to her about it.

I am really confused though, because I dind't do anything that warrants being let go. I bust my tail at the office... run errands, personal (like getting cat food, dog food; making her special protein drinks, etc) as well as professional. I have been an armor bearer... as I was taught by Dave Hasz. In return, I get a note asking for my key.

I am struggling with this. The reason, because I prayed long and hard about whether or not to quit my job. After weeks of praying I finally was at peace with remaining at the LAC... and then out of the blue, I get this note. I'm not sure why, but I intend to find out.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Have a great night.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

Wow, that's pretty unprofessional, not to mention rude, if that's the way they're letting you go. If they're letting you go, they should have left a note for you to go and talk to them to pick up your check. I'm assuming that this is a small, pretty close-knit place, not some huge company where you get a pink slip and told, "You're no longer needed."

Don't you hate when you wrestle with something. Then you finally come to terms with it only to have it yanked out from under you and your decision made for you. Hmm.

I'm sorry to hear this is happening. However, when you go and talk, don't burn any bridges. If she's letting you go, don't make a big fuss. There is probably bigger and better things out there waiting for you.

 

[Kehaar]

I agree, this does sound very unprofessional.

Good for you for keeping your cool, I'm not sure I would have handled it as well as you have done. I think you are right to stop by and see her in person to discuss this, you deserve and explanation for her actions.

I'm sorry to hear this is happening. However, when you go and talk, don't burn any bridges. If she's letting you go, don't make a big fuss. There is probably bigger and better things out there waiting for you.

Very good advice! I've been in a situation in a job that I didn't enjoy and wanted out of badly. I didn't handle it well at all, although I felt justified in my attitude at the time, and now I'm starting to realise the mistakes I've made.

Hope this is resolved in a good way

Astral

 

[abigail.mcintyre]

Went to work today, at the Learning Acheivement Center.. but not to work. I just went to pick up my check... at about 10 pm. Instead of my check, I found this lovely note "Shannon, Please leave your key and your address and your check will be mailed to you. Thanks, Cindy."

Hmm.. confused? Yeah, me too. To begin with, the LAC is supposed to be a ministry, run by Christians. If this is Cindy's way of telling me that I don't work at LAC any longer then I am highly disappointed in the way she handled it. There was no explanation, nothing... just those simple words amidst a pile of work that she wanted* (the next time I came to work) to complete. The note is a cop-out. It is a way of saying, "Shannon, I am not bold enough to stand in front of you and tell you that I have to let you go, but rather, I will write you a note instead."

So, I wrote her a note in reply. It was simply, nice, and polite. I explained that I had just got my car back, which she knew, and that I had stopped by work to get my paycheck and found this note. I explained that I wasn't sure what the note meant. I apologized for not being able to make it to work, because of being without a car or a way to get to work. I also explained that I hadn't heard from her since the last time I worked (which she said she would call me). I told her that I had tried to call her on Saturday to see if she could take me to church, but never heard a response. Then I ended by asking her to call me and explain the note to me.

I figure that if she doesn't call me tomorrow, I will just stop by her office and talk to her about it.

I am really confused though, because I dind't do anything that warrants being let go. I bust my tail at the office... run errands, personal (like getting cat food, dog food; making her special protein drinks, etc) as well as professional. I have been an armor bearer... as I was taught by Dave Hasz. In return, I get a note asking for my key.

I am struggling with this. The reason, because I prayed long and hard about whether or not to quit my job. After weeks of praying I finally was at peace with remaining at the LAC... and then out of the blue, I get this note. I'm not sure why, but I intend to find out.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Have a great night.

Tough break! May God open a more blessed door of employment for you. IJNA. Abi.

 

[caitlincares]

Praying

 

[Shannonkish]

Thanks for the prayers and advice.

When I got the note, I did leave her a note asking her to call me so that we could talk about it. She hasn't called me.

I went by there this afternoon to talk to her about it, but she wasn't there... so I left her another note explaining that I had visited and that I would appreciate a phone call so that we could set up an appointment to talk about this.

Haven't heard anything yet.. but we will see.

I needed this job. I moved to Jackson for the summer (I go to school in Jackson, but live at home, in AL) just for this job.. she knew that.

But, it is all in God's hands. I am looking for a new job as it is... because I have a feeling that Cindy will not be calling me back.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

Good luck. I know I would take it personally and I'd want to talk to them face to face--especially when it sounds as if they're trying to avoid you. Not much of an adult if this is how they're treating this situation.

Praying that something wonderful and hopefully decent paying will come your way.

 

[hischildsindik]

Indeed that does sound very cowardish and unprofessional, especially for a Christian. Christians are to be held to a higher standard because we represent Christ than non-Christians.

I'm sorry for your loss of a job and for how it hurts. Keep praying and I will pray that this shut door will be a way for you to see an open window that God has for you.
Cindy

 

[bliz]

#1 Start looking for a new job.

#2 Most states are "employment at will" states and so they can pretty much fire you whenever it pleases them and you don't have any grounds to complain. However, if you have been treated differently than other employees who have done the same things wrong (once they tell you what those things are) and you feel it is becasue of gender or age, you can file a complaint with the EEOC.

I wish that I could tell you that such behavior from a Christian organization is simply unheard of... unfortunatly I have to say that generally speaking, Christian organizations treat their employees and potential and former employees worse than almost anyone else. I have had a fair amount of personal experience in this area.

This is unprofessional, and clearly wrong. If there were problems with your job performance, they should have been addressed so that you had an opportunity to improve. This is simply handled all wrong and none of this is your fault.

By all means you should continue to push for a face-to-face meeting. This is the Biblical model. if she attempts to say that as a former employee, she does not have to speak to you about the matter, remind her that you are also her sister in the Lord, and for that reason alone, yes, she does have to talk with you.

BUT BEWARE !!! The fact that you insist on some kind of an explaination sets you up for an attack. I have seen this patten of behavior over and over again within Christian organizations. You simply asking for a professional explaination will be seen as a threat, and they will come after you. Indeed, even if you don't ask for an explaination, they may still come after you. Prepare to be trashed to other people and have them say some very mean things about you to your face. I hope that it does not happen to you, but if it does, know that it has nothing to do with you. There's an old expression about Christians shooting their wounded...

But here's is what you can learn from this (there's probably much nore, but here is one thing): NOT ON MY WATCH. Some day you may well be the person with the power and responsibility, in a volunteer project, in a church, while serving on a board... and you will have the power to directly or thorugh policy determine how personnel matters are to handled. Remember this experience, and make something good come out of it.

 

[BlestVessel]

God's ways ARE mysterious! Shannon, I'm just leaving a note to let you know I'll be praying for direction and wisdom and for God to clear up this cloud of confusion that looms over the situation. I hope you are abundantly blessed and that God makes a way where there seems to be none.

Much Love,
Your Sister April